| 1. |
- Diness, Birgitte R., et al.
(author)
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Effect of high-dose vitamin A supplementation on the immune response to Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccines
- 2007
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In: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. - 1938-3207. ; 86:4, s. 1152-1159
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) at birth has been associated with decreased mortality in Asia. Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is given at birth in tuberculosis-endemic countries. Previous studies suggest that VAS may influence the immune response to vaccines. Objective: Our objective was to examine whether VAS influences the immune response to simultaneously administered BCG vaccine. Design: Within a randomized trial of 50 000 IU vitamin A or placebo Given with BCG vaccine at birth in Guinea-Bissau, 27 10 infants were examined for BCG scar formation and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to purified protein derivative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (PPD) at 2 and 6 mo of age. The ex vivo cytokine response to PPD was measured in 607 infants. Results: At 2 mo of age, 39% (43% of the boys and 34% of the girls) responded to PPD. The prevalence ratio of a measurable PPD reaction for VAS compared with placebo recipients was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.80, 1.02) for all infants. 0.81 (95% CI: 0.69, 0.95) for boys, and 1.04 (95% CI: 0.86, 1.26) for girls. At 6 mo of age, 42% of the infants responded to PPD. No difference was observed between VAS and placebo recipients. The prevalence of BCG scar was not affected by VAS. The ex vivo interferon-gamma response to PPD was increased by VAS (means ratio: 1.40: 95% CI: 1.03, 1.91). Conclusions: VAS with BCG vaccination does not appear to interfere with the long-term immune response to BCG. However, VAS temporarily altered the DTH reaction to PPD in boys at 2 mo of age, suggesting sex differences in the immunologic response to VAS Given with BCG. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00168597.
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| 2. |
- Jönsson, Anna Maria, et al.
(author)
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Impact of climate change on the population dynamics of Ips typographus in southern Sweden
- 2007
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In: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-2240 .- 0168-1923. ; 146:1-2, s. 70-81
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mass-propagation of the spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, following windfalls and drought is a serious threat to mature spruce forests. Climate change will affect the population dynamics of I. typographus directly as the swarming activity and development rate are mainly controlled by temperature, and indirectly via changes in availability of brood trees. Today, I. typographus is in general univoltine in southern Sweden. In Denmark, however, the weather conditions usually support the production of a second generation. By modelling the temperature dependent population dynamics, we have evaluated the effect of regional climate change scenarios for the period of 2070-2099 on I. typographus in southern Sweden. Our results indicate that temperature increase will have a step-wise effect on the population dynamics. Earlier spring swarming and a faster development from egg to mature bark beetle increase the probability of a second swarming period during summer. A second swarming will be customary with an annual mean temperature increase of 2-3 degrees C. The thermal requirement for development of a second generation may, however, not be fulfilled every year with an annual mean temperature increase less than 5-6 degrees C. Winter is fatal for immature bark beetles, and the larger the temperature increase, the higher the probability that the second generation will complete development and survive hibernation. The temperature regime during autumn will therefore have a decisive impact on the size of the swarming population next spring. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 3. |
- Villumsen, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Risk of lymphoma and leukaemia after bacille Calmette-Guerin and smallpox vaccination: A Danish case-cohort study
- 2009
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In: Vaccine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-2518 .- 0264-410X. ; 27:49, s. 6950-6958
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Vaccines may have non-specific effects as suggested mainly in mortality studies from low-income countries. The objective was to examine the effects of BCG and smallpox vaccinations on subsequent risk of lymphoma and leukaemia in a Danish population experiencing rapid out-phasing of these vaccines. In a background cohort (N=47,622) from the Copenhagen School Health Records Register, cases of leukaemia (N=20) and lymphoma (N=51) were identified through the Danish Cancer Registry. The vaccination status of the cases was compared with the vaccination status of a 5% random sample (N = 2073) of the background cohort and analysed in a case-cohort design. BCG vaccination reduced the risk of lymphomas (HR=0.49 (95% CI: 0.26-0.93)), whereas smallpox vaccination did not (HR=1.32 (0.56-3.08)). With the small number of leukaemia cases, the analysis of leukaemia had limited power (BCG vaccination HR=0.81(0.31-2.16); smallpox vaccination HR=1.32 (0.49-3.53)). The present study with very reliable vaccine history information indicates a beneficial effect of BCG vaccination on the risk of lymphomas. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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